Benefits That Teachers Gain From Counseling, and Its Impact on the Work Environment

The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual can recognize their abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their community. Mental health is not just the absence of illness.

Numerous studies have shown that teachers' mental health levels warrant reconsideration, with mental health symptoms being more prevalent among teachers than in other professions. Teachers are often subjected to high professional pressures.

In some countries, reports have been published addressing teachers' mental health and related factors.

A British report titled "Supporting Teachers' Mental Health and Wellbeing," released in 2020, highlighted that teaching is one of the most stressful professions. Workers in the education sector in the UK showed significantly higher levels of work-related stress and lower well-being compared to other industries. The report included both mainstream and special education teachers.

A 2016 report from the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S., titled "Stress and Health in Teachers: Similar Signals," confirmed that teaching is one of the most stressful jobs in the U.S., with high stress levels impacting teachers' health and well-being. This leads to burnout, disengagement, job dissatisfaction, and decreased performance.

Teacher Wellbeing Index

A British organization has been publishing an annual report since 2017 titled the "Teacher Wellbeing Index," which focuses on providing support in mental health and wellbeing for educators through the Education Support Partnership.

The 2018 report provides statistics that offer insights into the challenges educators face in the school environment:

• 67% of education professionals describe themselves as stressed.
• 29% work more than 51 hours per week, with long working hours being linked to stress.
• 74% identified the inability to relax as the primary factor contributing to the negative work-life balance.
• 31% experienced mental health issues in the past school year.
• 76% faced psychological or physical symptoms due to their work, compared to 60% of employees in the UK.
• 43% to 37% of education professionals exhibited signs of anxiety or depression, respectively, surpassing national averages.
• 50% of those showing these symptoms were formally diagnosed by their general practitioner.

After comparing various approaches to mental health, the consensus across different mental health schools is the importance of achieving a balance between work and personal life to attain well-being. They also agree on the need to understand psychological stress and how to manage it.

Teacher stress not only affects their mental health but also leads to lower student achievement and weaker educational outcomes. It also impacts students' mental health and well-being.

Mental health challenges are widespread, affecting not only those who suffer from them but also their families, work environments, and the entire education system. Moreover, the economic consequences are significant, manifesting in higher school expenses and the costs associated with high turnover rates among teachers and educational staff.

Given the importance of the topic, maintaining teachers' mental resilience and equipping them with strategies to handle psychological stress in the workplace is crucial for preserving their mental and physical health. Psychological counseling contributes to a higher quality of life.

If you are a teacher, you can benefit from the support and expertise of (Yara Fahmy), a consultant psychiatrist and the author of this article. Learn more about managing psychological stress and how to deal with it privately and easily through Esaal platform. Book your session now here.

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